WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 2010

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 2010

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2010
MEMBER REQUESTS FOR WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS AND STUDIES

The Water Resources Development Act (“WRDA”) is the comprehensive water resources law typically authorized every two years.  Specifically, WRDA authorizes studies and projects within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission areas including navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, shoreline protection, and environmental restoration.  It is the policy of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that projects must be feasible and justified on the basis of Corps policy and regulation. 
 
On November 8, 2007, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-114) was enacted into law.  This law addressed a backlog of project authorizations, modifications, studies, and policy initiatives involving Corps civil works activities that had accumulated since the law’s previous authorization in 2000.  It is now appropriate that Congress develop a Water Resources Development Act for the 111th Congress to address new project studies and authorizations that have arisen over the past two years.

In preparing our requests, we have been in contact with our local US Army Corps of Engineers District office, the “Philadelphia District,” regarding potential requests.  Each request submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is accompanied by a Letter of Support from a Non-federal project sponsor.

The complete list of projects submitted by Congressman Gerlach is available here. The requests list the name of the project and the proposed use of federal aid.

6th District Project Requests:

1. City of Reading Wastewater Treatment Plant- $2.5 million requested for upgrades to address environmental issues as required by Department of Justice Consent Decree.

2. Downingtown Water Enhancement Program- $400,000 requested to replace all of the 4-inch lines in the borough and construct a new water tower for a larger source of water storage. The water intake source at times needs to be cut off at times in order to stop the flows of contaminants during periods of high runoff and quick thaws in the water.

3. Phoenixville Water Infrastructure Program- $1.4 million requested to retrofit the Borough’s water plant.

Regional Project Requests:

The following are regional projects that Congressman Gerlach has submitted along with other Members in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Congressional Delegations.

4. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) Low Flow Management and Environmental Restoration Project – This authorization language request would add as a beneficial purpose to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs in the basin the mitigation of adverse impacts to downstream aquatic ecosystems during low flow conditions.

5. Delaware Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Project—This authorization language request would allow quick response to help expedite restoration initiatives in collaboration with numerous States, local and Non Governmental organizations.